Geothermal Articles & Analysis

This week, the U.S. Department of Energy announced $32 million for six selected pilot projects that will support new load growth through grid-edge innovations and the ability of energy providers to right-size grid investments for future load growth. These Connected Communities projects in eight states will also provide new strategies and tools for utilities, grid planners and operators, ...

By Smart Grid Observer

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in coordination with the U.S. Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Defense, this week released a study showing that there is significant potential for further expanding renewable energy production on federal lands. The most comprehensive study of its kind finds that onshore federal lands in the contiguous United ...

By Smart Grid Observer

Constellation and Calpine Corp. this week announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Constellation will acquire Calpine in a cash and stock transaction valued at an equity purchase price of approximately $16.4 billion, composed of 50 million shares of Constellation stock and $4.5 billion in cash plus the assumption of approximately $12.7 billion of Calpine net debt. After ...

By Smart Grid Observer

With global electricity demand set to grow strongly, new technologies are opening up the massive potential of geothermal energy to provide around-the-clock clean power in almost all countries around the world, according to a new IEA report.The report, The Future of Geothermal Energy, finds that geothermal energy could meet 15% of global electricity demand growth between now and 2050 if project ...

By Smart Grid Observer

Canada should focus on building mass utility-scale solar mega-projects to kickstart its green energy transition, according to a new report from Simon Fraser University's Clean Energy Research Group. The recommendation comes from a new paper published in the journal Solar Compass which looks at the current state of solar power and compares the benefits of both mass-scale projects and smaller, ...

By Smart Grid Observer

The European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) is delighted with the Hungarian Presidency for initiating the proposal and to all Member States for adopting today the Council conclusions. These conclusions include clear actions to accelerate the deployment of geothermal energy in Europe. This recognition underscores the pivotal role of geothermal energy in driving Europe’s transition to a ...

By European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC)

Like the steam engine and electricity, artificial intelligence is a general-purpose technology that could profoundly transform the global economy and the world’s energy system. Though key uncertainties remain, it stands to have major impacts. High on the list is its potential role in accelerating innovation.Impressive technological advancements – both incremental and radical – have helped drive ...

By Smart Grid Observer

Large-scale renewable energy and battery energy storage projects have a pivotal role as the United States moves to a clean energy system. Where and how these facilities are sited is a complex process that involves many considerations and parties.To further support state and local governments and Tribal nations with this process, the U.S. Department of Energy is seeking applications from ...

By Smart Grid Observer

Geotherm-FORMA has released a report on the recent market developments in geothermal technologies and the outlook for the market in 2030. In the executive summary of this report, Geothermal-FORMA states that due to the war in Ukraine and the high level of inflation in the European economy (leading to higher interest rater and lower building construction and renovation rates), the energy ...

By Smart Grid Observer

The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) today announced the release of a groundbreaking guidance document aimed at ensuring the global transition to renewable energy is both rapid and sustainable. Titled "Improving Decision-Making for the Energy Transition: Guidance for Using Strategic Environmental Assessment," this comprehensive resource provides governments and ...

By International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA)

The GeoSmart project, a groundbreaking initiative funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, officially concludes today. This marks a significant achievement in the transition towards sustainable energy systems in Europe. The project has successfully developed technologies, such as the GeoSmart flexible power plants, to become highly adaptable energy ...

By European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC)

Sage Geosystems, Inc. and California Resources Corporation (CRC) this week announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a collaborative framework for pursuing commercial projects and joint funding opportunities related to subsurface energy storage and geothermal power generation in California. This strategic partnership between Sage and CRC will focus on developing ...

By Smart Grid Observer

The clean energy future for California is still attainable, despite infrastructure challenges, extreme weather impacts and technological and policy gaps. To achieve this, we must act now. This week at Climate Week NYC, Edison International released Reaching Net Zero, a forward-looking analysis that reinforces the urgent need for multisector collaboration, enhanced efficiencies and significant ...

By Smart Grid Observer

Dandelion Energy this week announced the national launch of its revolutionary geothermal heat pump, the Dandelion Geo.After installing thousands of geothermal heat pumps, Dandelion created the geothermal heat pump it wished existed. Dandelion reports that its new heat pump has the highest heating efficiency of any heat pump on the market, delivering heat at an unprecedented low cost. In ...

By Smart Grid Observer

ETIP-Geothermal is excited to announce the launch of its new vision for geothermal energy for 2030 and 2050, titled “Geothermal Horizons: From Cities to Regions.” This visionary roadmap outlines the potential of geothermal energy to play a vital role in the energy transition across Europe, contributing significantly to achieving the EU’s climate-neutral milestone by 2050. ...

By European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC)

A new technical report from Cascade Institute reviews state-of-the-art deep geothermal drilling and well-construction technologies, identifies existing technology gaps, and suggests strategies to overcome these gaps. The technologies include conventional drill bits, hybrid conventional drill bits, direct energy drilling systems, high-temperature downhole tools, insulated drill pipe, low-heat ...

By Smart Grid Observer

This week, at the U.S. Department Energy’s (DOE) Catalyzing Next Generation Geothermal Development Workshop, Sage Geosystems (Sage) and Meta Platforms, Inc (Meta) announced a new agreement that would significantly expand the use of geothermal power in the U.S. and would be the first use of next generation geothermal power east of the Rocky Mountains. Executives from Sage and Meta joined ...

By Smart Grid Observer

The U.S. Department of Energy has released the second-round funding opportunity in the Geothermal Technologies Office’s (GTO) Enhanced Geothermal Systems Pilot Demonstrations initiative, providing up to $14.2 million for projects to test the efficacy and scalability of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). Directed by the Biden-Harris Administration’s landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure ...

By Smart Grid Observer

On July 22, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy announced up to $65 million for Connected Communities 2.0, a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to drive innovation to manage growing building, transportation, and industrial electric loads on the grid. This FOA seeks to validate grid-edge technology innovations in real-world situations and provide new tools for utilities, grid planners and ...

By Smart Grid Observer

As energy costs rise and climate action becomes increasingly urgent, innovative solutions are essential. One such solution is Geothermal Heat Pumps, an advanced technology that utilises the Earth’s natural heat to provide efficient and eco-friendly heating and cooling for homes and ...

By European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC)